Hot in the city: Gavin Lloyd
Christchurch looks set to remain a competitive property market in 2026, buyers need to be ready to act swiftly.
For those of us watching the property market, the big question is: What will 2026 hold?
Looking back on 2025, Canterbury proved to be a real anchor in the property market. The region finished the year strong, with average asking prices up 0.5 per cent year-on-year (November 2024 to November 2025). Ōtautahi performed even better, with prices growing 2.6 per cent over the same period. This trend shows real confidence in the Garden City’s market.
Ōtautahi also claimed the national title as home to the most viewed property listing of 2025. Sumner’s Ark House clocked up a massive 151,330 views before it sold in November, proving that while purchasing property is a huge financial decision, our aspirations and imagination for how we live are just as strong.
If 2025 taught us anything, however, it’s that buyers in Christchurch need to be prepared. We saw demand surge in the latter half of the year, up an extraordinary 42 per cent year-on-year, while supply struggled to keep pace, dropping two per cent his competitive heat and the resulting sense of urgency will likely carry through into the new year.
The key takeaway for 2026? Christchurch looks set to remain a competitive market. For buyers, the key to success will be doing your due diligence early and being ready to move quickly when you find a property you love.
